Goals: *January*

Happy New Year everyone!  I cannot believe I am already writing another goals blog post.  How quickly December went by.  I am excited though to really see my goals through this year.  I talked about Lara Casey's powersheets in my last post and I am really excited to share some of them with you. Here are my goals for the month of December.

1. Purchase a yoga Pass
2. Pray about Adoption
3. Christmas shopping done by mid Dec.
4. Build up blog post repertoire
5. Jan-Dec Goals made
6. Finish 2 books
7. Turn in volunteer application to my church
8. Savings for Influence Conference
9. Send out Christmas Cards
10. Substitute teach once
11. Find a Marriage book to do together
12. Be consistent with Riley feeding herself with spoon
13. Look up mini triathlons in area
14. Print more wedding photos to put up
15. Be present / be still / be Jesus to the best of my ability.

I have learned so much through working through many of the prompts provided by the powersheets.  Many of my goals have changed or do not have enough priority to actually make them happen.  I have found that goal making is primarily found in knowing your core.  Who you are at the very depth.  Focusing on a certain word for the year and letting those goals flow out of that place.

      Consistency                                     Community                                     Cultivate

I created my goals based on the above three words, and out of my core. Figuring out your core takes time.  I had to sit with questions like: why do I do what I do?  Why do I want to make things happen?

At my core I am a lover of community and collaborating.  I love to encourage and be encouraged.  I want to be consistent in life with things I set out to do.  Above it all I want to love, show love, be love and be loved. 

Goals:

1. Net over $100 on Ebay
2. Livescan and volunteer at church
3. Company solidified for adoption // intentionality
4. Research instructor certs. (yoga, spin)
5. Build 10+ repertoire blog posts
6. Send out 3 encouragement cards to 3 friends
7. Make a friend date plan
8. Deep clean hosue
9. Start marriage book with my husband

Genesis // 2015

I deeply appreciate the beginning of most things.  The beginning of a good book, an excellent smoothie, and the first look of my beautiful baby girl.  Beginnings are wonderful exhilarating moments filled with awe and hope. It is the moment you can make something happen, a change and difference.  Beginnings are launching points into expected lifestyle changes and windows into a better something.

Beginnings can also be extremely frightening and sometimes a bit daunting.  The beginning to something means there will be an end, and it also means there is a chance that that beginning will fade away into nothing.  (sorry for the morbidity.)

Yes January 1st, 2015 is the beginning of the new year.  It is the beginning of a new month, but nothing else changes. You are still you, just with a little more hope, expectation and passion.  So how do we keep those characteristics alive?  How do we stay on track with our new goals?

3 Things:

Meaning
Accountability
Grace

I recently purchased Lara Casey's Powersheets and have been working through the 'prep' part for the start of the month.  These powersheets are goal planning materials for a six month period of time that are completely packed with wisdom, grace and intentionality.   I highly recommend them to any person wanting to understand their goals and how to be more efficient at making goals.

Meaning- I found that some of my goals did not have meaning.  I hadn't answered the 'why' question to some of my goals and therefore did not have a good reason to spend a whole bunch of time on them.  These sheets helped me work through what goals I needed to spend time on, and those that didn't carry alot of weight when aligned with my core. Yes I said 'core.'  I am telling you get these sheets!  They were so intense and thoughtful and intentional that I had such a great time setting out to find my goals that aligned with who Ashley is at the core.

Accountability-Without other people knowing my goals and being able to ask me about them I might as well not even have any.  Some people are really just natural go-getters and once they set out they succeed, but I need a little help.  I love when people know my goals and can randomly ask me about them.

Grace-This is a biggie for sure.  I know that everyone strives to be perfect, and especially for the first week of January, but remember goals are dynamic.  It is extremely difficult to change a habit, but not impossible.  Just know that starting small is key, as well as the first two points.  The point here is that if you fail, it is about forgiving yourself, dusting it all off, and getting up again.  That is character building, and that is how goals are formed.

The husband and I on Christmas Day.

Welcome 2015, I am so excited!

I would love to hear your goals?  How do you keep them?

This Time of Year // Switching it Up

Oh the holidays :)  :(  Christmas time can be such a wonderful time for so many of us, but for most, if not all, it can also be equally stressful and maybe even a little sad.  Being surrounded by so many family members all in one day, or being away from loved ones and having to work.  All of these things can add to an array of emotions during the holidays making it difficult to 'get into the spirit."  (whatever that means.)

Maybe as you sit and get your last gifts packaged and cards sent out you have a heaviness on your heart.  Maybe you are excited about all the family time, and getting to see the surprised looks on faces with presents you have purchased, the food and warmth, but maybe there is a looming within.

As we all gather this season with expectant hearts for having the best Christmas day ever, lets not forget that it is just another day.  It is another day to celebrate what God has done, it is another opportunity to grow deeper with a sister or brother, it is another day to give in an unexpected way to a stranger or a friend.  Wherever you may find yourself this Christmas remember to bloom where you are planted.

Here is my Christmas Challenge 2014:

Pick out a few different people from your family, church, or workplace and then read up on Love languages and try to pin what love language best fits those people.  It will be challenging as well as eye opening and hopefully fun.  I think going into Christmas with new challenges and perspectives is a great way to be intentional about our time.

Here are a few ways to 'switch it up.'

• clean up the mess-wash those dirty dishes so the regular person gets a break- give the gift of a clean kitchen. (acts of service)
• Give a few people a hand-crafted encouraging note. (words of affirmation)
• Pull someone aside and ask them how they are really doing (quality time)
• Give someone a present (gifts)
• Surprise someone with a warm long hug. (physical touch)

Good luck!

New Traditions to Start

• Christmas light looking
• Christmas Eve brunch with in-laws, sibling or friend
• Mini Christmas Tree //Living Christmas Tree purchase
• Have a wrapping Party-invite all your friends and family and wrap presents together
• Have a Pinterest craft party where you make a bunch of crafts
• Hot Cocoa, husband, hot tub, heavy vocal affirming-(What? I love alliteration) 
• Give the gift of time // volunteer
• Sing in your church Christmas choir
• Host a Christmas Tea 
• Purchase these and do them before the new year
• Read the birth of Jesus Christmas morning
• Have a cookie exchange
• Have a Christmas song karaoke night
• Gingerbread house competition
• Sit on Santa's lap
• Host an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
• Record a Christmas morning video
• Write out goals with husband // personal, spiritual, intellectual etc.
• Send out Christmas Cards
• Go see a Christmas show
• Bake Cookies and give them to the homeless

All Who Are Restless

I have been restless you guys.  Seriously restless.  I have been waiting and waiting and anxious and worried about so many things.  But, oh to be lead into worship by a group of wonderful women who love the Lord.  Oh how my soul feels refreshed.  In the midst of all I have going on, all you have going on, to know there is a God who is here.  He longs for us to stay, to drink, to be at peace, and to learn from Him.

I was able to connect online tonight with She Reads Truth for their Live Christmas Party and wow was it wonderful! I am feeling so refreshed with the great truth that I heard.

I had so many blog post topics tonight that I could have started writing, so many thoughts and emotions from the day, and yet absolutely no desire to write whatsoever. I decided to tune in to the She Reads Truth Christmas party, and gees am I excited that I did.

Oh for sweet inspiration.

I greatly encourage you to check out the beautiful, cozy, rich living room inspired evening the ladies over at She Reads Truth put together.  It really blessed me and gave a great new perspective.

Go there now-seriously!

I was considering going into all the details as to why I was in a slump, didn't want to write, feeling uneasy and anxious but I am not going to do that.  I just want to end this evening with a large cup of piping hot tea, my bible, turning off the electronics and just meet with the Lord.  I can spend so much time searching for inspiration, and reading blogs, getting encouraged, getting discouraged, excited about advent, overwhelmed with tasks- that, dare I say it-I have been missing it!  I have been missing just sitting with Jesus and taking it all in!

I encourage you to go and read your word.  Dig in and see why we celebrate this season.  Why is it a big deal, and find something new that you haven't seen.

I am eager to invite the Holy Spirit to lead me tonight, to be known by the one and only creator of my soul and to REST in Him.